Kampar River White Water Rafting in Perak Malaysia

Kampar River White Water Rafting in Perak is one of the basic water rafting courses in Malaysia. I had the opportunity to experience this rafting trip with some of my friends at the famous Sungai Kampar (Sungai Itik) with water rapids ranging from Grade One to Grade Three through about 14 rapids in total.

We had booked our rafting trip through Ivy Holidays who are based in Ipoh and our journey started very early for most of us as it is a one and a half hour drive from Kuala Lumpur to Gopeng, Kampar.

Lorry service to the river

Kampar River or Sungai Kampar as it is locally known is one of the easier rafting choices if you are seeking group or family fun or even if you have a company trip. The rapids here are mild compared to other rivers which offer white water rafting. For our group of 9 people, we booked this rafting trip weeks ahead and made arrangements to meet up at Gua TempurungCave in Gopeng.

Gua Tempurong Cave public toilets

We left Kuala Lumpur at about 6.30am in order to get to Gua Tempurung by 8.30am to meet up with the Ivy Holidays staff and raft captains. On arrival at the entrance to Gua Tempurung, we parked our cars at the open parking lot and then had a change of attire at the public toilets near by. Bringing what we needed, we then got on to a medium sized lorry which would take us to Sungai Kampar for our white water rafting experience.

Lorry journey to Ulu Geroh village

The journey to Sungai Kampar for water rafting was something I did not expect as all of us were herded onto the lorry for a 25 minute journey though some beautiful scenery of the Gopeng and Kampar Kampungs (Villages). The raft captain, Ramlie, who was seated with us reminded those standing to look out for low branches during the journey.

Video of lorry journey to Sungai Kampar Rafting

Passing Eco resorts and homestays

Passing many beautiful landscapes, I must admit that it was a wonderful journey by lorry. Something I would always remember. We passed kampung homes, plantations, jungles and even Eco Resorts like The Gopeng Rainforest Resort, camp sites and local village homestays.

Passing Orang Asli homes

Along the way, I also saw some unique kampung homes looking like it was built for only one person. As we drove in deeper, we approached near Ulu Geroh, the Orang Asli village of Gopeng, out stop was just up ahead.

Uhuru Helmets and Paddles

Getting down from the lorry, we headed to a point where all the rafting equipment was ready for us. Grabbing a helmet, paddle and a life jacket, some looked confused as they were first timers doing water rafting.

Captain Ramli showing how to use a life vest

But everything was well organised as the raft captain Ramile from Uhuru Raft gathered everyone around to demonstrate how the vest and helmet was worn. After checking everyone one by one for safety procedures, we were then taken across a bridge over the Kampar River to the starting point for our white water rafting experience.

Raft captain briefing the rafters

It was here that the full safety briefing was conducted. Mind you this was my 7th rafting trip (see the end of this post for my other rafting stories in Sabah) so I had generally told my buddies about this briefing as it is very important that you pay attention to it as it will save your life. So the safety briefing went on for a good 15 minutes where Ramile, who is a trained professional rafter told us about paddling commands and what we needed to do in the event of a raft over turning or someone falling off.

Safety briefing before rafting

Another of the raft captains was also in the water to demonstrate certain things that we should do in the even one of us fell off the water. How to remain calm and also which direction we should keep our feet.

Rafting begins!

With double assurance from the rafters, Ramlie then allocated us to our rafts to begin our 2 hour white water rafting trip along the Kampar River. The entire journey would go through several rapids with grade one to grade 3 (class I to class III) and is not a continuous rapid for 20 km. Various places have the rapids where most places we would just paddle the rafts with the river flow.

White Water Rafting Kampar River Grade 1 and 2

White Water Rafting Kampar River - Heading to a rapid

White Water Rafting Kampar River - Raft passing by

This is part one for my Kampar water rafting story. I will have part two up tomorrow.For the record, the Kampar River white water rafting was excellent and yet relaxing. I would recommend this for families or those who have never tried water rafting before. For the advance rafters, I would recommend you try other rapids besides this.

Price for White Water Rafting in Kampar River:

Per person is RM140.00 (US$40)

Inclusive of a lunch

Transfer from Gua Tempurong Cave to Sungai Kampar and back to Gua Tempurong

Not suitable for children under 8 years old

General Timings for Rafting at Kampar River

Meet up at Gua Tempurung Cave at 9.00am

Journey to Kampar River by lorry at 10.00am

Start white water rafting about 10.30-11.00am

Finish rafting about 12.30-1.00pm

Lunch at 1.30pm

Journey back to Gua Tempurung Caves 2.00pm

Amenities at Gua Tempurong

Free Car Park available

Public Toilets available (Rm1 for shower/change)

Stalls selling light snacks and drinks

Do's and Dont's

Do bring sunscreen or sun block for the ladies

Do bring a waterproof bag if you want to carry your valuables

Do bring a waterproof camera if you want some dramatic pictures

Do bring a change of clothes and towel for after rafting

Do bring along a safety rubber for your glasses

Don't put anything in your pockets

Don't panic when you fall over!

Getting to Gua Tempurung by car

From KL, head on the NKVE North

Exit at Gopeng turn off to the left (1.5 hour drive from KL)

After toll, you will reach a junction, turn left to Kampar/Gua Tempurung

Drive about 4-5 kilometers till you see the Gua Tempurung turn off to the left

Drive in about 2 km and you will reach Gua Tempurung car park

If you are from the North, head down South via NKVE and exit Gopeng

From Ipoh, use the old road towards Gopeng/Kampar

Not to worry, there are signboards to Gua Tempurung long the way from Gopeng

About Me

Malaysia Asia is a multiple award-winning travel blog site with information on unique and interesting places around Malaysia, Borneo, Indonesia, Southeast Asia and the World. Malaysia Asia is also under MyAsia Services, a Digital Travel Solutions Company based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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